Seven people were killed in separate incidents across Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend, including a triple shooting at a Laventille service station.

The dead include Selvon Jack, Makal “Beebo” Campbell, 29; Malique Akhil Williams, 23; Kwame Parris, 29, also known as “Sixx”; Teshawn Baptiste, 25, also known as “Blackboy”; Peeter Peters, 66; and Dennis Archargee, 62.

The deadliest incident occurred around 9:15 am on July 18, at a Unipet service station on Eastern Main Road, Laventille.

Jack, of Chinapoo, Morvant; Campbell, of Poui Street, Morvant; and Williams, of Erica Street, Laventille, were killed after a gunman entered the service station and opened fire on Williams and Campbell while they were at a fuel pump.

Reports indicate that Jack, an air-conditioning technician, was struck by a stray bullet as he attempted to flee the attack.

Williams had recently signed up to join the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, reportedly doing so just two days before his death.

His mother denied he was involved in any criminal activity. 

Police move to prevent reprisals 

The triple killing brought renewed attention to criminal activity in East Port of Spain, which had experienced a period of reduced violence following a reported truce between warring gangs.

Senior Superintendent Raymond Thom, head of the Port of Spain Division, said police are monitoring the situation and working to prevent further violence.

When questioned by journalists at the scene regarding the crime occurring in the midst of a state of emergency, Thom said there are no restrictions on movement or gatherings.

“There’s no curfew, there’s no restriction of movement, there’s no restriction of gathering, so people basically are free to move around as normal,” he said.

He noted that police have used the preventative detention orders to target individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activity.

“We in Port of Spain have executed over 90 of these orders, so we know most of our major players are incarcerated at this time on preventative detention orders,” Thom said.

However, he acknowledged that some criminal elements remain active.

“There are still elements that we are looking for and still persons who would be involved in criminality and still carrying out gang activities and reprisals,” he said.

Thom said police would act quickly to prevent further attacks following the Laventille shootings.

“We will be moving with great haste to try and treat with it as possible and ensure that they don’t have any follow-up activities, any reprisals as such,” he said.

Two killed in Sennon Village shooting

Later on Saturday, two men were shot dead at Sennon Village, Siparia.

The victims were identified as Kwame Parris, 29, also known as “Sixx”, and Teshawn Baptiste, 25, also known as “Blackboy”.

The incident occurred around 9 pm.

Other weekend killings

In another incident, 66-year-old Peter Peters was killed around 4pm on Friday after he was reportedly chased by a group of men along St Thomas Street, Sunshine Avenue, San Juan.

Meanwhile, 62-year-old Dennis Archargee was found dead on Friday inside a pit toilet at his home at Quarry Road, Siparia.

Archargee was discovered by relatives who went to check on him after not hearing from him for several days.

Reports said the home had been ransacked and his vehicle stolen. 

The vehicle was later recovered.

More than 200 people have been murdered in Trinidad and Tobago for the year.